Vote registering apparatus



7 Sheets-Sheet l J. A. PEREYRA VOTE REGI STERING APPARATUS Filed A ril s, 1953 Mm Q Oct. 18, 1938.

1938- J. A. PEREYRA VOTE REGISTERING APPARATUS Filed April 3, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 /l/l/lll AMY 1 mum mm INVENTOR 1 0,

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ATTORNEY 1938. J. A. PEREYRA VOTE REGISTERING APPARATUS Filed April 3, 1933 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 I k w M %N g J; ,7 mm M *m V \N H R N Nu QM & Q \N- NM R mm Q mu 4 R. Q A r 1 o I i \u x I R mm Au MQ w A .& nu Q. 3 m mm 3. mm. Rh 7 \Q L! 93 mm 1. M 1 I! ilal 1 .\N M N b .bm hm. m m kn v Q $0 ATTORNEY 1933- J. A. PEREYRA VOTE REGISTERING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1953 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORN EY Oct. 18, 1938.

J.A.PEREYRA VOTE REGI STERING APPARATUS ATTOR N EY 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR .fl/ldz a.

Filed April 3, 1933 1938- J. A. PEREYRA VOTE REGISTERING APPARATUS 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed April 3, 1933 noun 0 W IL m Jw m m s I f :3 m$w wwq v J SL5: a i 1 W2 0 5 5% W O m G \W\ fl my ww wk 1 J M fi AWN 1W Wm Raw m5 NQ Q Patented Oct. 18, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application April 3, 1933, Serial No. 664,250

10 Claims.

The object of the invention is to provide a vote registering apparatus adapted for registering the ayes and noes on such questions as may be put before a convention or legislative body by the mere action of the voting member or delegate in pressing a button or circuit closer identified as afiirmative or negative on the question put; to provide an apparatus of the kind indicated which incorporates a totalling register, so that the sum of the ayes and nays may be checked against the total; to provide a voting apparatus which when started will initially set all of the registers to zero and then automatically and selectively actuate the individual registers and then the totalling register, or vice versa, and will then automatically come to rest after performing one series of operations; to provide a voting apparatus which makes it possible to keep a positive check on its operative condition, so that there may be no chance of false totals; and generally to provide apparatus of the kind indicated which, for the functions to be performed, is of comparatively simple form and susceptible of cheap manufacture.

With this object in view, the invention consists in a construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings but to which embodiment the invention is not to be restricted. Continued use in practice may dictate certain changes or alterations and the right is claimed to make any which fall within the scope of the annexed claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a voting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the top portion of the apparatus comprising the invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the upper part of the apparatus looking at the end from the left hand side as viewed in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 66 of Figure 1.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are sectional views on the planes indicated by the lines 7-1, 8-8 and 99 respectively of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line Ill-40 of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the traveler,

Figure 12 is a top plan View, partly in section or the structure of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is an elevational view of one of the stations and the associated portion of the track as well as an end view of the traveler looking at the track engaging end.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line l4--l4 of Figure 1.

Figure 15 is a plan view of the manual control.

Figures 16 and 17 are sectional views on the planes indicated by the lines l6--l6 and ll|1 respectively of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus.

The invention is carried into effect by the provision of a duality of groups of stations 20 and 2| arranged at uniform angular distances on spiral tracks 22 and 23, the stations in each group being identical with each other and with the stations in the other group. The stations are arranged for the actuation of a circuit closer carried on a traveler, the traveler 24 being associated with the stations 20 and the traveler 25 associated with the stations 2|. Except when the stations are rendered operative, they have no effect on the passing traveler but if and when they are rendered operative, the circuit closer carried by the traveler is operated and each circuit closer is designed to control a register, so that the traveler associated with one group of stations will actuate one register, while its companion actuates the other, or controls the actuation of the other.

The stations are arranged in groups, so that the groups may be identified respectively with af firmative and negative votes and the stations are controlled by remotely positioned means, such as push buttons located at the desks or near the chairs of convention delegates or members in connection with the voting of whom the apparatus is designed to be used.

The invention is also designed to total the number of persons voting and accordingly the two travelers 24 and 25, while they are designed to be actuated synchronously, are out of step, or out of phase, so that station engagement of the two will not occur at the same time.

Since, except for the angular lead or out of phase relation of the two travelers, they are identical, a description of the one will suflice for the other, as is also the case with the stations.

Arranged in the axis of the spiral track of either group of stations is a vertically disposed shaft 26 (Figs. 1, 3 and 13) journalled in the top wall of the housing 2'! and having a lower bearing in the bottom wall 28. The traveler is keyed to the shaft 25 for rotation when the shaft rotates.

so that if the shaft be driven, angular or turning movement will be imparted to the traveler and by reason of the keyed connection, it may move axially of the shaft and thus follow the spiral track on which the stations are carried.

The spiral track on the upper and lower faces and at the inner edge is equipped with wear strips 29 and 30, preferably steel, and on these bear respectively the rollers 3i and 32, which are carried by the traveler at the outer end of the latter. This arrangement provides an operative connection between the track and the traveler, so that there may be no undue vibratory motion of the outer end of the traveler.

The traveler may traverse the track from the stop 33 at the upper end tothe stop 34 at the lower end but, having reached the lower stop, it is necessary for it to be returned to the upper stop and the driving mechanism provides for the automatic accomplishment of this. That is, the shaft 26 is rotated in one direction until the traveler reaches the lower end of the track, when reversal takes place and it is returned to the upper end. Several of these movements are necessary in accomplishin the cycle of operations of the invention, as is hereinafter set out.

, The mechanism for imparting angular or turn ing movement to the shafts 26 comprises a horizontal shaft 35 journalled in bearings on top of the housing of the device and being terminally provided with bevel gears 35 meshing with bevel gears 31 secured to the upper ends of the shafts. The bevel gears 36 engage the gears 37 on corre sponding sides of the latter, so that both shafts 25 are rotated in the same direction. At an intermediate point, the shaft 35 carries a worm gear 38 which, however, is only frictionally secured to the shaft by reason of friction disks 39 which, while keyed or otherwise secured to the shaft, bear against the sides of the worm gear.

In mesh with the worm gear 38 is a worm 39' carried by a transverse shaft 40, the latter being journalled in bearings on top of the housing and being provided at one end with a bevel gear 4! in mesh on diametrically opposite sides with bevel pinions 42 and 43. The pinions 42 and 43 are constantly in mesh with the bevel gear 4! but normally float on the shaft 44 by which they are carried, this shaft being arranged in parallelism with the shaft 35 and being journalled in appropriate bearings on top of the housing. The hubs of the pinions 42 and 43 are formed with clutch elements so that they may be alternately clutched to the shaft 44 by the axial movement of a double clutch element 45 which is keyed to the shaft 44 and which is moved axially along the latter by a shifter fork 46. In one position of the double clutch element, it is engaged with the pinion 42, so that movement is imparted to the gear 4| in one direction. If the double clutch element is engaged with the hub of the pinion 43, that pinion will be clutched to the shaft 44, while the pinion 42 will be floating and the gear 48 will be driven in the opposite direction. This, of course, assuming a given direction of rotation for the shaft 44.

The shaft 44 is driven constantly in one direction from a motor 41 positioned on top of the housing and belted, as indicated at 48, and a countershaft 49, journalled, in bearings on the housing and provided with a pinion 50 in mesh with a spur gear 5! carried by the shaft 44.

The periodic reversal of the direction of rotation of the shaft 4!] and the consequent reversal of the direction of rotation of the shafts 25, with which the shaft 48 is operatively connected as above described, is accomplished by the automatic actuation of the shifter fork 46. To this end the shifter fork has a sliding mounting in the shifter bar 52, the latter having slide bearings in the pillar blocks 53 by which the bearings for the shaft 44 are carried and also having a slide bearing in a housing 54 positioned on top of the main housing adjacent one end and near the front face of the latter. ing of the fork in the shifter bar consists of a frame 55 with which the shifter bar is formed and which embraces the shank of the shifter fork, said shank being provided with a pin 56 traversing slots in opposite sides of the frame 55. The shank of the shifter fork extends below the plane of the frame 55 and is formed with a tapered nose 5? arranged in abutting relation with a corresponding nose of a kick-over dog 58, the latter being mounted in a guide on the top of the main housing and being impelled upwardly by means of a spring 59. Axial movement is imparted to the shifter rod 52 and when this movement is in one direction, the pin 56 abuts the extremities of the slots in the frame 55 at one end and thus the shifter fork is moved laterally with the result that the double clutch element 45 is moved axially. But this operation is attended with the depression of the kick-over dog 58 until the tapered lower extremity of the shank of the shifter rod passes the peak of the nose of the dog, after which the action of the spring 59 serves to elevate the dog and thus complete the shift-over motion of the shifter fork. This construction provides for the initial movement of the shifter fork being accomplished by the shifter rod 52 and the clutching operation being completed by a quick shift-over movement due to the kick-over dog 58. The operation is the same, irrespective of the direction of movement of the shifter rod to engage the double clutch element with either of the bevel pinions 42 or 43.

Axial movement of the shift-over rod 52 is derived from the shaft 35 and ,to this end this shaft is terminally provided with a pinion iii! in mesh with a gear 5| journalled in a bearing on the top of the main housing. The gear 6! is provided with a lateral lug 62 in the opposite faces of which are threaded the abutment screws 64 and 65 which are designed to engage a lug 66 which is disposed in their path of movement and which is carried by a supplemental shifter rod 67, the latter being slidably mounted in bearings on the top of the main frame of the machine, one of the bearings being in the housing 54 below the plane of the shifter rod 52.

An operative connection between the two shifter rods is provided in the form of pinions 58 and 69 mounted on a shaft in, one of these pinions being in mesh with rack teeth formed on the shifter rod 61 and the other in mesh with rack teeth formed on the shifter rod 52.

By reason of the fact that the shaft 35 is r0- tated alternately in opposite directions and because of the fact that this change of direction is accomplished by alternately clutching the pinions 42 and 43 to the shaft 44, the shift-over movement can be accomplished by the structure outlined, since the gear 6! during a certain period of the rotation of the shaft will turn in one direction and abutting the lug 55 will shift the shifter rod 61 in that direction and correspond- The sliding mount- V ingly move the shifter rod 52 to effect clutch changing position. The abutment screws 64 and 65 are adjustable for nicety of adjustment in determining the shift-over movement.

Each of the stations 20 and 2| comprises a solenoid II and associated plunger I2 which, when raised, is in obstructing position with reference to the circuit actuating member carried by the traveler (Figs. 11 and 13). With the solenoid unenergized, the plunger will be depressed or lowered, not only by the gravity of the same but by reason of the action of the spring I3 which is of bowed form, anchored one end to the solenoid with the other end engaged in the extremity of a lever I4, pivotally mounted at I5 and having a universal connection I6 with the plunger, such universal connection consisting of an enlarged rounded portion formed on the lever and engaging an opening in the pliuiger. Since the plunger is designed to be held in elevated position until it shall have actuated the circuit closer of the passing traveler and since it is not intended that energization of the solenoid be necessary to maintain this elevated position, since that would depend on the human element-the voters who indicate their votes by closing the circuit on the solenoid, a pivoted latch 11 is provided which, when the plunger is elevated, will engage the tail of the lever 14 and thus retain the elevated position of the plunger even after the circuit on the solenoid is opened by the release of the circuit closing means therefor. The latch member 7'! is yieldingly impelled in a position to engage the tail of the lever I4 by a leaf spring I8 bearing on the under face of a horizontal arm I9 with which the latch is formed, this arm being in a position to be engaged by the trip roll mounted on the carrier arm.

The invention contemplates the energization of the solenoids II of the various stations by the voters and having once operated the circuit closers to indicate their votes, the plungers of the solenoids remain elevated, so as to actuate the circuit closer on the passing traveler and each time the circuit closer is operated the register associated with that traveler is actuated.

The circuit closer on the traveler comprises the parallel spring leaves BI and 82 mounted on the traveler but insulated from each other and from the traveler by reason of the insulating support 83 by which they are carried. The spring leaves 8| and 82 are normally separated but may be brought into engagement with each other and therefore into circuit closing position by means of a presser foot 84 carried at one extremity of a rock shaft 85 at the other extremity of which is mounted a dog 86 which, when the plunger I2 is elevated, engages the upper end of the latter and thus imparts rocking movement to the shaft 85 with the resultant depression of the presser foot and the engagement of the springs 8| and 82.

The spring engaging element of the presser foot consists of an adjustable screw 81 for adjustment so as to insure spring engagement in the normal arc of movement of the presser foot.

The dog 86 has limited angular movement by reason of the fiat spring members 88 secured on diametrically opposite sides of the bearing for the rock shaft 85 and engaging in recesses 89 on diametrically opposite sides of the hub of the dog. The gravital tendency of the dog maintains it inthe lowered position for engagement with the upper end of the plunger 12 and this gravital tendency also serves to maintain the presser foot 84 in elevated position.

In the cycle of operations designed to be carried out by the invention, there is included the release of the plungers I2 and this is designed to be accomplished by the traveler through one of its periods of movement past the station. It is during this time that the trip roll 80 is caused to function, as at other times the trip roll will be withdrawn where it will not engage the horizontal arms of the latches I1.

The traveler is provided with a guide sleeve 90, hushed at the outer end as indicated at 9|, the inner end of this bushing acting as an abutment for one end of a compression spring 92 which is disposed in surrounding relation to a stem 93 on which the trip roll 80 is rotatably mounted. Secured to the stem 93, as by a pin 94, is a cap member 95 and the inner end of this cap member acts as an abutment for the opposite end of the spring 92. Thus if there is no pressure axially on the stem, the spring will tend to move the stem axially and thus shift the trip roll 80 back towards the plane of the axis of rotation of the traveler and the trip roll will be then in a position where it cannot engage the horizontal arms of the latches. To effect movement of the trip roll outwardly where it can engage these arms, however, there is provided a bell crank lever 98, mounted on the carrier and having its resistance arm provided with a disk-like head 91 seated in a loop in the cap member 95. The force arm of this lever is secured to the lower end of a plunger 98 of a solenoid 99 which is carried by the traveler. When the solenoid is energized, therefore, the bell crank: lever is rocked and the trip roll 80 thus shifted out into a position where it will engage the horizontal arms of the latches 11 as the traveler passes succeeding stations.

Since the solenoid 99 and the circuit closer comprising the springs 8| and 82 are on a moving element-the travelerprovision must be made for supplying current to them by sliding connections of some kind. To this end the shaft 26 (Figs. 3 and 14) just below the top of the main housing is provided with a cylindrical head I00 which is of insulating material but which is peripherally bound with the collector rings IOI, I02 and I03. At the lower end, the shaft 26 carries an insulating head I04. The heads I00 and I04 are fixed with respect to the shaft and act assupports for the bus bars I 05 which are arranged in parallel relation to the shaft. these bus bars at the lower end being seated in the head I04 and at the upper ends entering the head I00 from the under face and one of them being electrically connected with the collector ring IOI, the next with the collector ring I02 and the last bearing on the collector rings and carried in an insulating block I01 constitute the means for conducting current to the collector rings and thus to the bus bars. From the bus bars current is transferred to the required devices on the traveler by reason of the head I08 which is mounted on the hub portion of the traveler and which is of insulating material but which is provided with guide openings through which the bus bars I05 pass. Brushes I09 carried by the head I08 have sliding contact with the bus bars. The construction thus provides for the rotation bodily of the bus bars and the heads I00 and I04 with the shaft 26 and the traveler moving axially of the shaft during the rotation of the with the collector ring I03. Brushes I 06 vided operating in a four to one ratio with the ,travelersthat is, the circuit closer moves through an angular .distance of for each [movement of the traveler between its stops 33 and 34. This circuit closer (Figs. 8, 9 and 10) consists of a rotary contact arm III] carried on the upper end of the shaft III and traversing, as the shaft rotates, the sectors H2, H3, H4, H5, and I I6, the sectors being set in an insulating block I I1. The contact arm III) is preferably insulated from the shaft III but current is delivered to it through a spring-pressed brush II8 bearing upon the arm at the center of the shaft and carried in a brush holder II9 mounted in the center of the case I2Ilin which the circuit closer is enclosed. The case I20 is positioned above the case I2I by means of an intervening hub portion I22 through which the shaft III extends. In the casing I2I is enclosed a ratchet wheel I23 which is mounted on the shaft II I at the lower end. A spring impelled latch lever I24 engages the ratchet wheel on one side and on the diametrically opposite side it is engaged by the pawl I25 of a ratchet bar I26, the pawl being swingingly mounted on the ratchet bar and the latter slidably mounted in opposite walls of the case I2I. As. the ratchet bar is moved axially against the pressure of the spring I21, a specified angular movement is imparted to the ratchet wheel, the latch lever being forced out of engagement with one pair of teeth and dropping into engagement with the next pair, after the ratchet bar has reached the limit of its axial movement. On this forward stroke of the ratchet bar, the pawl I25 abuts the stop' I28, so that it is fixed with reference to the ratchet bar during this interval but may swing with reference'to the ratchet bar during the return of the latter by reason of the spring I29 tensioned between the pawl and a point on the ratchet bar.

The forward stroke of the ratchet bar is derived from the shaft 26 of the traveler'25 by means of a pin I30 fixed on the under face of the gear 31 .(Fig. 1) of that shaft where, when the gear rotates, it may engage the periphery of the disk-like head I3I of a lever I32 pivotally mounted on top of the main housing of the apparatus. The lever is provided with an adjusting screw I33 abutting a fixed stop I34 to determine the inward swinging movement'of the head of the lever from the pressure of the spiral spring I35 with which the lever is equipped. The free end of the lever I32 engages the ad- J'ustable abutment I36 of the ratchet bar I26.

A manual control switch is provided for use in carrying out the indicated functions of the apparatus and this consists of a contact arm I31 mounted on an angularly movable shaft I38 in common with the disks I39 and (Figs. 15, 16

and 17). The contact arm is adapted to engage the angularly spaced segments I4I I 4!, I42 and I43, these segments being arranged in spaced relation. A supplemental contact arm I44 is mounted on the upper face of the contact arm I31 and is slidable on headed pins I45 surrounding which are springs I46 which bear upon the upper faced the contact arm I44 so as to keep it normally down on top of the contact arm I31.

Terminally the contact arm I44 extends beyond a the extremity of the contact arm I31, so that it may engage the contact segment I41 which is positioned angularly ahead of the segment I4I but which is overhung with the flange I48 of an insulating shield I48, which flange is inclined downwardly toward the segment I4I In moving from initial position, the contact arm will move under the flange and engage the segment I 41 prior to the arm I31 engaging the segment I 4 I. In the return movement, however, the protruding end of the arm I44 will engage the lower end of the flange I48 and traverse over the top of the latter, so that it is kept out of contact with the segment I41. Thus in moving the switch from the inactive to the active position, the arm I44 will engage the segment I41 but will be prevented from engaging this segment on the return of the switch to inactive position.

A spring I49 is employed to return the arm to inactive position.

Peripherally the disk I40 is provided with spaced seats I53 to be engaged by the springpressed pawl I5 I this pawl holding the arm in any of its several positions of engagement with the segments I4I I42, or the engagement of the arm I44 with the segment I41. This pawl is only sufiicient to accomplish this function, however, if the arm be moved gradually to the selected position. If the arm be released from the extreme right hand position which is the full operating position, the spring I49 will carry the seats past the pawl I5I, because of the circular contour of the seats which will prevent arresting action by the pawl if the arm be moving at any speed as it will in returning to inoperative position.

The full operating position, which is where the arm I31 engages only the segment I43, is maintained by a spring retracted dog I52 which engages a seat or notch I53 in the disk I39. The dog is moved into notch engaging position by reason of the pull applied to it from a magnet I54.

Registers I55, I56 and I51 are provided, the first, say, to indicate ayes, the second to indicate totals and the third to indicate noes (Figs. 2 and 18). Operation of each is effected through V the instrumentality of an individual electromagnet I58 exercising a pull on an oscillating lever I 59. Each time a magnet is energized, a register will be moved one digit. These registers are of conventional form but are of the character that cannot be turned reversely past the zero setting. Since it is necessary that they be set to zero position prior to each vote, each register is provided with a return Wheel having a drive belt I63 traversing a pulley mounted on the shaft ISI between friction disks I62. Thus when the shaft IfiI is rotated, all of the registers will be returned to zero position, the pulleys on the shaft I6! connected with those to first reach zero position sliding between the friction disks until all have reached the zero setting. Motion is communicated to the shaft IBI by means of a motor I63 having a reduction gear drive I64 with the shaft.

Relays I65, I65 and I51 are provided for use in connection with the manual and automatic control switches hereinbefore described, the relay I61 controlling the circuit on the motor 41 and the relay I55 eifecting a change-over of circuits, so that the totalling register I55 may function during one period and the affirmative and negative function independently during another period. The relay I65 is a supplemental device designed as a test or precautionary feature. The magnets constituting the stations are preferably low voltage magnets and if the source of current employed to operate the invention be direct, provision for battery operation will preferably be made for the actuation of the register magnets and the station magnets. With alternating current, the high and low voltages may be obtained from the single source by the use of a transformer such as indicated at I68 whose primary is connected across the supply line and whose secondary is connected by means of a conductor I69 with one side of the push buttons or other circuit closers I10 and HI. The opposite terminals of the switches I10 are connected to one terminal of the magnets of the stations 2I, while the opposite terminals of the switches I1I are connected to one terminal of the magnets of the Stations 29. The remaining terminals of all of the station magnets are connected in common on the conductor I12 which leads to the opposite terminal of the secondary of the transformer I68 but through an indicating meter I13. This meter is shunted with the armature I14 of the relay I65. If the latter is unenergized, the meter is in circuit; if it is energized, the armature is attracted and the meter is shunted. The supply line is carried past the primary of the transformer I68, as indicated at I15, through the key switch I16 and thence to one terminal of each of the magnets I58, as indicated at I11. A conductor I18 connects one terminal of the motor 41 with the arm I31, the other terminal of the motor being connected by a conductor I19 with a contact engaged by the armature I 80 of the relay I'61. When the key operated switch is open, the register magnets are deprived of current, irrespective of what is done with the rest of the apparatus. When the switch I 16 is closed with the key, the register magnets can be made to function by the proper manipulation of the other parts of the apparatus. One terminal of each of the relays I65, I66 and I61 is connected in on a common conductor I8I which is tapped in on the conductor I15. The remaining terminal of the relay I65 is connected by a conductor I82 with the segment I4I of the hand switch. The remaining terminal of the relay IE5 is connected by a conductor I83 with the segment II 3 of the automatic switch. The remaining terminal of the relay I61 is connected by a conductor I84 with the segment I I2 of the automatic switch but in series with the magnet I54. A tap is taken in the conductor I84 between the relay I61 and the magnet I54, as indicated at I85, and is run to the segment I42, this tap including a resistance I86 equal to the resistance of the magnet I54.

The armature I81 of the relay I66 is arranged I to engage the free terminals of rocker levers I88 and I89, pivotally mounted as indicated at these levers being yieldingly held against contacts I9I and I92 respectively. One terminal of the trip magnet of the register I51 is connected by a conductor I93 with the contact I92, while the corresponding terminal of the trip magnet of the register I is connected by a conductor I94 with the contact I9I. One terminal of the trip magnet of the register I56 is connected by a conductor I95 with the armature I81.

Conductors I96 and I91 connected with the brushes bear on the collector rings I03 of the shafts of the travelers 24 and 25 respectively and the springs 82 of the circuit closers of these travelers are electrically connected with the rings I03. The springs 8I of the circuit closers which connect electrically with the collector rings I02 are electrically connected in common on a conductor I98 which connects with the segments II 5 and H4 of the automatic circuit closer, these segments being cross-connected as indicated.

The collector ring IOI associated with each traveler is connected with one terminal of the magnet 99 of that traveler, the other terminal of the magnet being grounded, as indicated at I99, the energizing source for these trip magnets which consists of the secondary of a transformer 200, being grounded, as indicated at 20L The ungrounded terminal of the transformer secondary is connected by means of a conductor 292 with the brushes bearing upon the collector rings IOI of the two traveler shafts.

The primary of the transformer is connected across the supply line by a lead 203 running to one side of the line and a lead 204 running to the segment II6, so that this primary is con nected across the line when the contact arm IIO bridges the segments II 6 and H2. A conductor 205 runs from the segment I43 to the arm IIO. One side of the supply line is connected to the arm I31 by a conductor 206, while a conductor 201 connects the segment I41 with one terminal of the motor I63, whose other terminal is connected in by a conductor 208 tapped in on the conductor I15.

In the operation of the invention, there will be a circuit closer I 10 and a circuit closer "I available to each voter entitled to vote and as he votes affirmatively or negatively, he will press either the button I1I or I10. The first operation in recording the vote is to close the switch I 16 by means of the appropriate key, this putting the register magnet in circuit. Then the switch arm I31 is shifted the proper angular distance to bring the arm I44 into engagement with the contact I41. Current will then flow from the supply line to the arm, to the segment I41, over the conductor 201, through the motor I63, the conductor 208 and the conductor I15 back to the supply line. The motor I63 will thus be set in operation and the registers will be rotated backwardly until they are brought to the zero point and when this is indicated on the front of the machine the arm I 31 may be shifted angularly to the next position when it will engage the segment I4I a but only that segment which, being dead, will result in a circuit opening operation, insofar as any circuit controlled by the arm I 31 is concerned. But in this position, the

apparatus will be in condition for indicating, prior to the registration of any votes, whether the voting stations are all on open circuits, for the voltmeter I13 will be in series with the stations across the secondary of the transformer I68. Should any of the station actuating buttons be closed, current will flow over the conductor I69, through the closed switch and affected station, over the conductor I12 back to the secondary of the transformer, passing through the meter I13, since this is included serially in the conductor I12. Any meter reading will indicate a connot exist and investigation is then made for the trouble, or if any one of the switches I10 or "I is closed, it is opened and the fact will be indicated on the meter I13 by its indicator moving to zero. The test position of the arm I31 indicating that the station switches I10 and HI are in inoperative position, the arm I31 is moved to the next position to engage the segment I4I, when current, having reached the arm I31, will flow over the conductor I82, through the relay I and back to the line over the conductors NH and I15. Energizing the relay, results in raising its armature I14,

which shunts the meter I13 and thus leaves the volting stations across the secondary of the trans former I68. Thenthe voting operation is carried out by each voter operating either of his circuit closers I18 or I1I, thus rendering active the aye or no station.

The voting operation having been effected by the closure of the desired circuit closers I10 and HI, the next operation is that of counting the votes and the arm I31 is therefore moved to the next position to bridge the segments I42 and I43, the contact with the former of which effects closure of the motor circuit, current flowing from the arm to the segment I42, thence over the conductor I and through the resistance I86 to the winding of the relay I61 over the conductor I84 and thence back to the opposite side of the line. But energizing the relay I61 results in attraction of its armature I80 which, bridging its associated contacts, efiects electrical connection between the conductors I19 and IBI, so that cur-- rent may then flow over the conductor I18, through the motor 41, over the conductor I19, armature I88 and conductor I8I back to the opposite side of the line. The motor thus begins to turn and with it the arm III! to which a potential has been applied by the contact of the arm I31 with the segment I43 from which current flows over the conductor 295 to the arm. The initial movement of the arm brings it into engagement with the segments H2, H3 and H4. Parallel paths are thus provided for the current, one over the conductor I83 and through the winding of the relay I66 back to the other side of the line, the other over the cross-connection to the segment H5 and over the conductor I98 to thecollector rings I82 Energizing the relay I66 elevates the armature I81 into engagement with the levers I88 and I89, thus rocking them and disengaging them from the contacts I9I and I92, so that the magnets of the registers I55 and I51 are cut out of circuit, but the magnet of the register I56 cut into circuit by the armature bridging thetwo levers. That increment of the current which flows over the conductor I98 to the collector rings reaches the contact springs 8I of the circuit closers on the two travelers by reason of the heretofore described electrical connections between the springs and the collector rings. Thus the circuit is closed by each actuated station whether of the group indicated at 29 or that indicated at 2!. Since the travels are out of phase, the one will engage a station in its group prior to the other engaging the corresponding station in its group. In Fig. 4 the travelers are shown with the traveler 24 in advance of the traveler 25 and since the operative connection between them is a geared connection, there can never be any change in their relative positions. With respect to the stops 33 and 34, the stop 34 on track 22 will act as a limiting stop in downward movement and the stop 33 on the track 23 will act as a limiting stop in the upward movement. If the travelers be set so that the traveler 25 will lead, then the other two stops will function as limiting stops. Each station effecting the operation of the circuit closer on its attendant traveler results in the flow of current over the conductors I96 and I91, to the armature I81 and thence over the conductor I95, through the magnet of the register I56, thence to the switch I16 over the conductor I11 and thence back to the opposite side of the line over the con ductor I15. operated, the magnet of the register I56 will be Thus each time a circuit closer is energized and the register will be moved to expose a new digit. This operation takes place, say, as the travelers move down the tracks from the upper stops 33 to the lower stops 34 and. when the lower stops are reached, the contact arm I III will have moved through the first quadrant or Prior to this operation, however, the selected switches I19 or I1I have been closed, thus rendering the stations in the one orthe other groups operative and this results from current flowing from the secondary of the transformer I68 to the switches I10 and HI, thence through the magnets of the connected stations and thence over the conductor I12 back to the source in the secondary of the transformer.

After the movement of the switch arm through the first quadrant of the automatic circuit closer, it leaves the segments H3 and H4 and through the next quadrant engages, only the segment I I2. But on the leading traveler reaching the lower step 3 5, the direction of rotation of the actuating shafts is changed and the travelers are carried back up the spiral tracks and during this return movement the arm I It moves through the second quadrant when it is only in engagement with the segment H2. The trailingtraveler having reached its upper stop 33, the rotation of the actuating shafts is again changed and the travelers are started on the downward path, this time with the arm IE9 entering the third quadrant and in engagement with the sectors H2 and H5, when there is one increment of the current pass-' ing over the conductor I98 and through the circuit closers of the two travelers to the levers I88 and I89. When the switch arm II8 left the segment II3, the relay I66 was deprived of current and the armature accordingly dropped, so that the levers or rockers I88 and I89 returned to engagement with the contacts I9I and I92. Thus that portion of the current flowing over the con-' ductor I91 results from the actuation of the circuit closer on the traveler 24, while that portion passing over the conductor I results from the actuation of the circuit closer on the traveler 25.

Since the one traveler is responsive to the ayes.

and the other to the noes, the current flowing over the conductor I 99 at this period in the operation passes over the conductor I93 and through the magnet of the register I51. The current flowing over the conductor I91 passes over the conductor I94 and through the magnet of the register I55. Thus the operation which had previously resulted in totalling the vote on the register I55 is at this instant divided to separate the ayes and noes by recording the former on the register I55 and the latter on the register I51. But this operation is being carried out as the travelers move down the tracks and is completed when the leading traveler reaches its stop 34 when the reversal of rotation takes place and the travelers are returned up the tracks at the time the arm IN) is entering the fourth quadrant of the automatic circuit closer, where it engages the segments H2 and IIS. When the segment IE6 is put in circuit, it closes the primary of the transformer 268, current flowing from the segment M3 of the manual switch to the contact arm I It, thence to the segment II6, thence over the con ductor 29 i and through the primary of the transformer to the opposite side of the line. The primary having been energized, the secondary will also be energized and current will flow from this over the conductor 202 to the collector rings IIII associated with the two travelers and thus reaches the windings of the magnets 99 from which it flows back to the secondary of the transformer through the ground connections. But energizing the magnets 99, results in projecting the trip rolls 80 into a position Where they will engage the horizontal arms the latches ll as the travelers rotate. Thus the plungers of the stations in groups 2 and 2! will be returned to normal or inactive position and this on the return move-- ment of the travelers up the tracks. When the contact arm HG reaches the dead zone defined by the separated ends of the sector H2 and the spacing between the adjacent ends of the sectors H6 and H3, all of the parts will be deprived of current, including the magnet i 3 which, by reason of it having been energized. has moved the dog I52 into engagement with the notch to retain the switch arm I31 in its remote operative position. De-energizing the magnet I54, however, leaves the actuating spring of the dog I52 operative to retract the dog, so that the latter is disengaged from the notch I53 and the arm is returned to the inactive position through the action of the spring I49, the contact arm M4 being kept out of engagement with the segment Ml during this movement by reason of its riding over the inclined flange of the shield MB. Thus the registers are left in position for the total vote to be observed and the number of ayes and number of noes comprised in that total. But in starting the operation, the registers are automatically returned to zero position by the first step in the movement of the hand switch, as previously described.

The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A vote registeringapparatus comprising a plurality of groups of stations, means for individually rendering each station operative, traveler for each group of stations and traversing the stations of that group, a register operatively connected with each traveler and rendered operative by the latter on the traveler passing an operative station, and an additional register operatively connected with all the travelers and rendered operative on any traveler passing an operative station, the travelers moving synchronously but out of phase.

2. A vote registering apparatus comprising a plurality of groups of stations, means for individually rendering each station operative, a traveler for each group of stations, a register operatively connected with each traveler and rendered operative by the same when the traveler passes an operative station, an additional register operatively connected with all of the travelers and rendered responsive by any upon the same passing an operative station to total the amounts indicated by the registers of the individual travelers, and automatic means to eifect functioning of the totalling register during one period of time and the individual registers during another period of time.

3. A vote registering apparatus comprising a duality of spiral tracks, a plurality of stations r disposed along each of said tracks, a rotary traveler traversing each of said tracks, means for rendering each station individually operative, a circuit closer carried by each traveler and actuated When the traveler passes an operative station, an electrically operated register controlled by each circuit closer, a common driving means for both travelers, means for reversing the driving means periodically to return the travelers, an additional electrically operated register controlled by the circuit closers of both travelers,

and automatic means to successively render the last said register responsive to the circuit closers and the individual registers responsive thereto.

4. A vote registering apparatus comprising a duality of spiral tracks, a plurality of stations disposed along each of said tracks, a rotary traveler'traversing each of said tracks, means for rendering each station individually operative, a circuit closer carried by each traveler and actuated when the traveler passes an operative station, an electrically operated register controlled by each circuit closer, a common driving means for both travelers, means for reversing the driving means periodically to return the travelers, an additional electrically operated registered controlled by the circuit closers of both travelers, and automatic means to successively render the last said register responsive to the circuit closers and the individual registers responsive thereto, the travelers moving in synchronism but out of phase.

5. A vote registering apparatus comprising a spiral track, a plurality of stations disposed along said track, and comprising solenoids and associated plungers, remotely positioned control means for each solenoid to render the same operative, a rotatable shaft disposed in axial coincidence with said track, a traveler axially but not angularly movable on said shaft and traversing said track, a circuit closer mounted on said traveler and tripped to circuit closing position by the plunger of any solenoid station that is elevated, and an electrically operated register controlled by said circuit closer.

6. A Vote registering apparatus comprising a spiral track, a plurality of stations disposed along said track, and comprising solenoids and associated plungers, remotely positioned control means for each solenoid to render the same operative, a rotatable shaft disposed in axial coincidence with said track, a traveler axially but not angularly movable on said shaft and traversing said track, a circuit closer mounted on said traveler and tripped to circuit closing position by the plunger of any solenoid station that is elevated, an electrically operated register controlled by said circuit closer, driving means for said shaft, and automatic reversing means for the same. I

7. A vote registering apparatus comprising a spiral track, a. plurality of stations disposed along said track, and comprising solenoids and associated plungers, remotely positioned control means for each solenoid to render the same operative, a rotatable shaft disposed in axial coincidence with said track, a traveler axially but not angularly movable on said shaft and traversing said track, a circuit closer mounted on said traveler and tripped to circuit closing position by the plunger of any solenoid station that is elevated, an electrically operated register controlled by said circuit closer, driving means for said shaft, and automatic reversing means for the same, the traveler having rollers engaging the track on the upper and lower faces thereof.

8. A vote registering apparatus comprising a spiral track, a plurality of stations disposed along said track, and comprising solenoids and associated plungers, remote positioned control means for each solenoid to render the same operative, a rotatable shaft disposed in axial coincidence with said track, a traveler axially but not angularly movable on said shaft and traversing said track, a circuit closer mounted on said traveler and tripped to circuit closing position by the plunger of any solenoid station that is elevated, and electrically operated register controlled by said circuit closer, driving means for said shaft, and automatic reversing means for the same, said stations having latching means to retain the plungers elevated, and automatic release means for said latching means.

9. A vote registering apparatus comprising a spiral track, a plurality of stations disposed along said track, and comprising solenoids and associated plungers, remotely positioned control means for each solenoid to render the same operative, a rotatable shaft disposed in axial coincidence with said track, a traveler axially but not angularly movable on said shaft and traversing said track, a circuit closer mounted on said traveler and tripped to circuit closing position by the plunger of any solenoid station that is elevated, an electrically operated register controlled by said circuit closer, driving means for said shaft, and automatic reversing means for the same, said stations having latching means to retain the plungers elevated, and automatic release means for said latching means, said releasing means comprising a magnet carried by the traveler.

10. A vote registering apparatus comprising a spiral track, a plurality of stations disposed along said track, and comprising solenoids and associated plungers, remotely positioned control means for each solenoid to render the same operative, a rotatable shaft disposed in axial coincidence with said track, a traveler axially but not angullarly movable on said shaft and traversing said track, a circuit closer mounted on said traveler and tripped to circuit closing position by the plunger of any solenoid station that is elevated, an electrically operated register controlled by said circuit closer, driving means for said shaft, and automatic reversing means for the same, said stations having latching means to retain the plungers elevated, and automatic release means for said latching means, said releasing means comprising a magnet carried by the traveler, and an automatic circuit closer for the same driven in timed relation with the traveler.

' men A. PEREYRA. 

